Fort Plain measures approved

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - Updated: 5:11 PM

FORT PLAIN -- Voters in the Fort Plain School District on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved all of the propositions on a special election ballot.

School board President Todd McFee announced the results shortly after polls in the Harry Hoag School gym closed at 9 p.m.

Overall voter turnout was low, with only 161 people weighing in on the transportation-related measures. Here's a summary of the tallies:

The first proposition, which asked residents to authorize the creation of a bus/transportation fund not to exceed $2.3 million, was approved 115 to 46.

As explained by district officials, much of the money for the newly-established fund will come from the district's current fund balance and will only be used for the purchase of school buses, vehicles and transportation-related equipment.

Voters approved the second proposition by a vote of 116 to 48. That ballot question asked voters to approve the transfer of $409,631 from an existing capital reserve fund into the new bus/transportation fund.

The third measure, which asked voters to authorize the district to spend no more than $245,000 in current fund balance to buy two full-sized buses at no additional cost to taxpayers, was approved, 114 to 49.

Results of the vote were welcomed by the board members, who were pleased by the community's strong show of support.

Speaking on behalf of the board, district Superintendent Douglas Burton said, "It's definitely a statement of support for the school district and for the taxpayers because it will stay off future taxing events for transportation."

By supporting the propositions, he said district voters "established a level budgeting field for us for the next 10 years for transportation needs. They've set aside the money ahead of time."